UF Adds Bachelor of Science in Advertising: Persuasive Messaging to UF Online Offerings

GAINESVILLE, FL – Starting in Fall 2020, another major from the College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) will be available for Gators to study online—the Bachelor of Science in Advertising: Persuasive Messaging.

This unique major is offered by the UF Department of Advertising, which consistently ranks as one of the top advertising programs in the United States.

Ranked as the #4 best online bachelor’s program by U.S. News & World Report 2020, UF Online provides busy students with a flexible pathway to earning a UF degree. Each admitted online student is paired with a dedicated academic advisor who accompanies them from the start of their degree to graduation. UF Online students also learn from the same top faculty that teach on campus while paying 40% less in tuition and fees.

“Joining UF online provides a new way for students to discover advertising in one of the few online advertising programs in the country,” said Dr. Robyn Goodman, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of the UF Department of Advertising. “Students will learn the skills required to engage with media audiences using strategic, persuasive communication, including audience insights and analytics, brand storytelling, strategy, and persuasive messaging. With these skills, they have opportunities in a broad range of industries and careers, from advertising agencies to event planning to entrepreneurship,” she said.

The curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to think strategically, solve problems, and craft persuasive messages to audiences in a culturally diverse and technologically shifting marketplace. Top faculty provide insight on both the conceptual frameworks and the professional skills that students need and employers increasingly seek.

Building upon a foundation in advertising, the Persuasive Messaging track allows for a wider application of strategies within many types of organizations and industries. These include client and account sides of advertising as well as other positions in the business, communications, and marketing fields. This degree is also useful for those looking to advance in their current roles or careers.

According to CJC Online Undergraduate Program Director Mike Weigold, “The new Advertising: Persuasive Messaging program will appeal to all students looking to be influencers in their careers. While influence skills are essential for those who choose advertising as a calling, they also have broad relevance for students interested in careers in education, health, the law, or sales.”

Interested students can now apply to the Advertising: Persuasive Messaging major through UF Online. The application for the Fall 2020 semester is open until May 4th. Visit the degree page to learn more about this major.

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The University of Florida is the No. 7 public university in the country as ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. The UF Online pathway earned the No. 4 rank in the country in the U.S. News & World Report 2020 rankings of online programs. Students can select from 25 UF majors and 8 minors taught by UF faculty from across 13 colleges. UF Online students also work with a dedicated academic advisor to design their own academic pathway and schedule each term. Degree programs are continually being added. Visit ufonline.ufl.edu to learn more.